Schalke general manager admits club received bids for Arsenal target Draxler

Both the player and Heldt have revealed that offers were made during the transfer window.

The move that greatly excited Arsenal fans in the January transfer window was that of Schalke 04 ace Julian Draxler and the club’s general manager Horst Heldt has revealed that bids were in fact received for the youngster.

Officials from the Emirates Stadium flew out to Germany to try and negotiate the deal, but whilst they wanted to pay between £25m and £30m, Schalke refused to accept anything less than their £37.2m valuation.

Now Heldt has admitted that bids for Draxler did come in during the window.

“There were offers for Julian this winter,” the general manager was quoted by Goal.

“We told him, but also that we wouldn’t let him go.

“There was no replacement on the market and Julian didn’t really want to leave. But he would have brought us a lot of money.

“The moment will come. We can’t avoid this. He’s an outstanding player in Europe – one day he’ll leave us.”

Draxler has also spoken out about the offers that came in for him and also what the 20-year-old’s plans are for the rest of the year.

“The fact is, Horst Heldt had offers for me this winter,” the Germany international said.

“I’m happy about that. On the other hand, it shows the respect I enjoy at this club, even if Heldt refuses without me being asked.

When asked if he would be moving this summer, Draxler replied: “I haven’t thought that far.

“The next three months will be difficult, I want to play a better second half of the season with Schalke because I want to play for Germany at the World Cup. That’s the main aim.”